ANTALYA – French player Xavier Le Roy has the honor of claiming the first gold medal at the European billiards championships in Antalya. He defeated Dutchman Raymund Swertz 120-91 in 13 innings in the one-cushion final. Le Roy dominated the match for long time, leading comfortably 64-10 and 99-14, but after a setback from the Frenchman, Swertz was able come back. Two runs by Swertz brought the score to 117-89, but the final sprint with three runs was for Le Roy again, who won 120-91. The averages at this European in one cushion were noticeably lower than in previous years. The winner had an overall average of 7.17, and the tied third-place finisher 4.32. Willy Gérimont, who finished fifth, had the best average with 8.38.
The semifinals featured a Frenchman, a French-Greek, a Dutchman, and an Austrian. Arnim Kahofer, who won the championship two years ago, was defeated in a close match by Xavier Le Roy, 120-90 in 11 innings. Raymund Swertz defeated Gerassimopoulos in a long match, 120-99 in 31 innings.
Quarterfinals
Raymund Swertz, after a slow start in qualifying, is on a roll and emerges as the best winner in the quarter finals. He defeated Dane Brian Zola Hansen 120-35 in 8 with a run of 39. The most striking winner is Nikolas Gerassimopoulos, who defeated title favorite Willy Gérimont 120-69 in 11 with a run of 98. Xavier Le Roy and Arnim Kahofer also advance to the semifinals. The Austrian defeated Xavier Gretillat 120-84 in 15 innings, and Le Roy was the better of Esteve Mata 120-89 in 17 innings.
Best matches in qualifications:
Xavier Le Roy-Patrick Niessen 100-63 in 5
Xavier Gretillat-Michel van Silfhout 100-6 in 6
Arnim Kahofer-Gert-Jan Veldhuizen 100-29 in 7
Willy Gérimont-Michel van Silfhout 100-57 in 9
Final standings with the best 8:
1 Xavier Le Roy 12-7:17-51
2 Raymund Swertz 10-6:06-39
3 Arnim Kahofer 8-7:72-39
4 Nikolas Gerassimopoulos 6-4.32-98
5 Willy Gérimont 6-8.38-67
6 Xavier Gretillat 4-4.79-73
7 Esteve Mata 4-5.08-27
8 Brian Zola Hansen 4-5.06-19
The standings after the qualifications were:
- Willy Gérimont 6-9.09-67
- Arnim Kahofer 6-7.50-33
- Xavier Le Roy 6-5.88-51
- Raymund Swertz 6-5.76-26
- Brian Zola Hansen 4-5.15-19
- Esteve Mata 4-5.03-26
- Xavier Gretillat 4-4.55-73
- Nikolas Gerassimopoulos 4-4.55-73
The semi final match with Raymund Swertz and Nicolas Gerassimopoulos and the two referees
The semi final with Arnim Kahofer and Xavier Le Roy and the two referees